Watch band terminal catch



Oct. 10, 1950 A, DQ R 2,525,066

' WATCH BAND TERMINAL CATCH Filed Feb. 8, ].949

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 1 0, 1950 A wA'rcn BAND TERMINALCATCH Charles A. Domler, Johnston, R. I., assignor to Bulova Watch Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of. New York Application February 8, 1949, Serial No. 75,101

' Thisinvention relates to I an end catch for bracelets and-more particularly' to a terminal connector for expansion wrist watch bands.

Bands or bracelets for holding a wrist watchin position on the wrist are made in a great variety of designsand constructions. A band for this purpose is usually provided with means vfor attachment to a'watch. When? used'for the larger type or mens watches the watch is provided with spaced lugs and the connection to'the bracelet ends is'made "bywha't' is generally known as a spring bar connection.

In the smaller watch of the ladies type the watch is usually provided" with oppositely disposed loops or eyelets. The endsof the bracelets are providedwith bendable hookmembers for disposition in the'eyelets. These hook members are then bent to a closed position thereby securing the bracelet ends to the eyelets on the watch. Considerable annoyance'and difliculty has "been experienced "not only" in performing the bending operation to attach the ends of the band to the eyelets but if the bend is not complete the band may be accidently disconnected.

Furthermore, a constantpullppon the hook members during continued use causes the hook to bend and in many cases the band and watch become disconnected with possible loss or injury to the watch.

It will be appreciated that watch bands .or bracelets must be rugged in structure, but it is 1 3 Claims. (Cl. 24--241) equally important to preserve an ornamental and w pleasing design.

For many years the bendable 'hook connections have been employed as the simplest form of connection, practically without detracting from the design or motif of the band.

An object of the present invention is therefore to construct a bracelet with positive terminal looks, so constructed and arranged as to be capable of quick and effective connection to a watch and at the same time preserve the ornamental appearance of the band. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a terminal locking means having the outward 3 surface appearance of one of the link units of l the band.

Another object of the invention is to provide a terminal connector having a movable member for passage through an eyelet of a watch and means for locking the member against moveament from the eyelet.

ther object of the invention is to provide ing member so constructed and arranged gonform to the link design of the band.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood by reference to the. following description together with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a wrist watch attached to a bracelet or band by locking means constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top view of a portion of a band showing the present locking means or end catch; I

Fig. 3 shows a bottom'view of the band shown in Fig. 2 in position to be attached to an eyelet of a watch;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a band connected to an eyelet of a watch;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but shows the locking means disposed in an eyelet of a watch. Fig. 6 is a view taken on line VI-VI in Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a view taken on line VIIVII in Fig.

Fig. 8 is a view taken on line VIII-VIII in Fig. 4; and I Fig. 9 is a detail view of a locking member or ring.

The present embodiment of the invention is shown applied to what is termed an expansion bracelet or band. This type of band or bracelet Ill to which the present invention is applied, is of the expansion type and consists of a plurality of hingedly connected link units ll of any selected design. Each link unit may include an outer ornamental part 12 and what may be termed an inner or bottom part I3. In accordance with the present invention an end or terminal link- I4 of the band is formed to provide a casing or housing fashioned to conform with and carry out the design of the ornamental link unit parts l2.

As a practical example of the invention the end terminal or link I4 is hingedly connected at [5 to an inner link part 13 in accordance with the well known construction of bands of this type. The terminal link I4 may be provided on one side with a cavity [5 (see Figs. 6 and 7) to receive an insert or shell I 6 soldered or otherwise secured in cavity [5. The shell l6 may be in the form of a cup having a wall I! which, in conjunction with wall l8, of the cavity forms a track or retaining guide IQ for a split ring-like member 20. The member 20 is movable about its axis past a slot 2| provided in the terminal link l4. One side of the terminal link [4 serves as a casing or housing for the movable ring member and the guide and its opposite side in conformity with the design of the link units ll.

The ring member is free to rotate until the split or open portion 22 of the ring registers with the slot 2| (see Fig. 2). When in this position the eyelet or connector loop 23 of a watch 24 may be inserted into the slot. The ring is then rotated by means of a suitable tool engaging a notch 25 provided onthe ring. When the ring is moved to bring the opening of the ring to a difierent position, a solid portion of the ring will prevent the release of the watch.

For the purpose of positively locking the watch to the terminal Hi the cup I 6 is provided with a lip 26 normally in line with thewall of the shell or cup. When the ring has been moved to bring the open portion 22 in line with the lip 26 the lip is bent to position in the space 22 between ends 21 and 28 of the ring 20.

The lip 26 as will be evident locks the ring 20 against rotary movement in its guide and provides a positive means of preventing release of the watch. The lip may be bent to locking position by a suitable tool and may, when'desired, be bent to its initial position to permit a. rotation of the rin to release the watch.

The present invention provides a simple and efiective means for securing a bracelet to a Watch without detracting from the ornamental appearance of the band.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein it is to be understood that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A terminal catch for a wrist watch band comprising an end link having a circular cavity, a circular cup of lesser diameter than said cavity positioned in said cavity to provide a circular guide, a split rin movable about its axis in said guide, said link having a slot transverse to said guide, means for moving said ring to register the ends thereof with said slot and for moving' said ring for passage through the eyelet of a watch when positioned in said slot and a bendable mem- 4 her integral with said guide for locking said ring in a selected position.

2. A terminal catch for a wrist Watch band comprising an end link having a circular cavity, a circular cup of lesser diameter than said cavity positioned in said cavity to provide a circular guide, a split ring movable about its axis in said guide, said link having a slot transverse to said guide, said ring having a notch to be engaged by a tool for moving said ring to register the ends thereof with said slot and for moving said ring for passage through the eyelet of a watch when positioned in said slot and a member integral with said cup for movement to engage said ring and prevent rotary movement thereof. 3. A terminal catch for a wrist Watch band comprising an end link having one side conforming with the design of said band, the opposite side of said end link having a circular cavity, a circular cupof lesser diameter than said cavity positioned in saidcavity to provide a circular guide, a split ring movable about its axis insaid guide, said link having a slot transverse to said guide, means for moving said ring to register the ends thereof with said slot and for moving said ring for passage through the eyelet of a watch when positioned in said slot and a lip extending from said cup for movement between the ends of said ring to lock the ring against rotary movement.

CHARLES A DOMLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references'are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

